Mackay resident and last living Australian recipient of the original Victoria Cross (VC) medal Keith Payne VC AM was invited to attend Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in London this week.
Mr Payne was among four VC recipients to be invited to the ceremony alongside Mark Donaldson, Ben Roberts-Smith and Daniel Keighran, as well as George Cross recipient Michael Pratt.
“Keith is an icon of Mackay and we’ve got to remember his contribution in the Vietnam War and since, not just around here but all over Australia really and probably around the world,” said RSL Mackay Sub Branch President Ken Higgins
Mr Payne had met the Queen many times and admired her greatly.
“He had quite a few meetings with her over the years,” said Mr Higgins.
“It’ll be a great experience for him and (the Queen was) a woman that he greatly admired, too.
“He really admired the Queen and said that quite openly and quite often.”
“We are absolutely delighted in him being invited to go to the funeral services and we’re very proud of his history and him representing the veterans and the RSL.
“We just hope that he has a safe and healthy trip with the support of his veteran mates all around Australia, particularly from Mackay.”
A memorial has been set up in the RSL Mackay Sub Branch incorporating portraits of Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III and Mr Payne.
“We’ve had quite a few discussions about it since she passed and, yeah, it’s a big thing, a big thing for the country,” said Mr Higgins.
“As veterans and as an RSL, it’s a change, it’s a massive change.
“The whole military structure changes now.”
Mr Higgins represented the RSL Mackay Sub Branch alongside fellow veteran Col Benson at a service held at Holy Trinity Church on Sunday, September 11 to farewell the Queen.
The service was agreed upon by the Queen herself and her favourite hymns and prayers were shared.
“It paid tribute to her and the actual announcement of King Charles now being our king,” said Mr Higgins.
“It was an honour for us to be there representing the town.”
